The showdown began.
In a vast open area, the two stood facing each other, expressions solemn, muscles tense, with the swirling dust seeming to heighten the atmosphere.
“Cough, cough—”
Across from Hals, Mole began to cough.
“Choked, choked on something.”
Hals looked at him in disbelief, feeling as if he had entered a fake pirate world.
Hals glanced at Mole disdainfully, covering his face.
Mole adjusted himself, and the two resumed their stare-down.
It seemed as though a spark of electricity was constantly crackling in the air.
“Are they going to fight or what?”
Ain rested her chin in her hand, bored, watching the two stare at each other for a long time. What was going on?
Wait, could it be that these two…
Ain suddenly remembered a passage from a novel she read.
Whether friends or strangers, two people wouldn’t stare at each other for too long unless they were lovers. Of course, this phrase was more fitting to describe Ivankov and Crocodile. Crocodile, recalling last night’s craziness and hysteria, blushed shyly. Ivankov, seeing Crocodile’s flushed face, found it adorable and couldn’t help but kiss him.
Ah—no, no, no, how could this be? Ha, Hals isn’t that kind of person, such a scumbag. Ah, it’s been so long since I used that word. Wait, that’s not the point. The point is, them staring at each other like this is a bit…
“Negative emotions from Ain +1900”
Ain suddenly blushed, her expression full of panic. Teacher Zephyr, sitting beside her, was bewildered, not understanding why the girl suddenly got hot.
Is she…
Wanting to eat ice cream?
Just say so, the teacher will buy it for you.
You don’t need to make yourself look hot to make the teacher think you need ice cream.
Ah, young girls these days, a bit shy. Just say it directly, the teacher will get you one later.
Teacher Zephyr felt he had understood Ain’s thoughts, feeling a bit proud. His purple hair fluttered in the wind, expressing his happiness.
At the edge of the field, the spectator seats were sparsely filled, only a few people: Sengoku, Zephyr and Ain with no classes, the old man who didn’t go home on vacation to see his grandson, Aokiji watching the show, and vice admirals like Fire Mountain and Onigumo who somehow ended up there, along with Admiral Akainu whose presence was inexplicable.
No one could explain why Admiral Akainu was there, including Akainu himself.
“I just walked here and saw a bunch of you hanging around, so I stayed. Problem?”
“Negative emotions from Akainu +700000”
Surely he wouldn’t admit he was a bit groggy from sleep, saw a crowd, and followed them.
No problem, just your answer makes us want to punch you.
Hothead.
Everyone ignored Akainu, who seemed a bit embarrassed but maintained a fierce facade, claiming it was to uphold the Navy’s dignity.
What an ugly man with short hair.
Akainu without his hat looked extremely strange. With the hat, he was a fierce man. Without it…
He seemed a bit sleazy.
Hals recalled the Summit War, where Akainu, with a somewhat narcissistic expression, touched his hair, wondering if he should spread rumors that Admiral Akainu wore a hat to cover his thinning hair as he aged.
His hair was indeed short, cut short.
Everyone didn’t bother with Akainu, who calmed down, continuing to look like everyone owed him money.
The two continued to stare at each other.
“Ready…”
Hals shouted, not realizing his typo, charging towards Vice Admiral Mole, using [Shave], rapidly disappearing in the swirling dust.
Mole sensed something was wrong but, as a battle expert, didn’t panic. He also used [Shave], matching and even surpassing Hals’ speed, drawing his sword without Hals using Devil Fruit abilities or Haki, directly stabbing at Hals.
Hals saw the powerful, non-Haki-infused strike, capable of slicing through steel effortlessly, but useless against him without Haki. Still, it could hurt.
Hals didn’t plan to take the hit directly but couldn’t dodge it either. Forced to use his ability:
“Ice Magic: Ice Spike”
The air turned chilly as small ice blocks suddenly appeared, quickly growing into sharp ice spikes, thrusting at Mole.
Not that the ice blocks appeared suddenly, but their speed made it seem so.
Mole felt a slight danger but wasn’t afraid, shattering the ice spikes.
“Water Magic: Thick Fog”
A thick fog formed around Hals, spreading outwards.
“Eh, can’t see anything?”
Teacher Zephyr was curious about the sudden fog, wondering what Hals was up to.
The old man thought Hals fought well, smiling, but didn’t say his usual “Not bad for my grandson,” possibly feeling his grandson needed to show more.
Akainu and Aokiji were puzzled. Aokiji thought Hals’ ice magic was impressive, almost reaching his level.
Akainu found it strange that such a Devil Fruit existed, making fog and ice spikes. How did the Navy produce such a genius?
Sengoku showed little emotion but was pleased inside. This genius was indeed extraordinary, seemingly more powerful at this age than the three admirals were at the same age.
Hals, at almost 15, compared favorably to the admirals who joined the Navy at 18.
Hals, unaware of being a genius, didn’t think he was particularly smart.
Other vice admirals were confused, not understanding why Sengoku called them here.
Sengoku had his plan.
If Hals was strong enough, he would announce to the world that a new genius had emerged in the Navy, more monstrous than previous ones, to intimidate the seas’ evildoers.
If not strong enough, Hals’ current level was impressive. The admirals joined as adults, but Hals, at 8, had grown to a frightening level.
Hals…
“Wind Magic: Speed of Wind, Strength of Wind, Protection of Wind, Shield of Wind.”
“Water Magic: Protection of Water, Regeneration of Water, Shield of Water.”
“Fire Magic: Regeneration of Fire, Strength of Fire, Speed of Fire.”
“Lightning Magic: Strength of Lightning, Speed of Lightning.”
“Ice Magic: Protection of Ice, Strength of Ice, Shield of Ice.”
“Earth Magic: Shield of Earth, Strength of Earth, Protection of Earth.”
“Plant Magic: Shield of Nature, Strength of Nature, Protection of Nature, Speed of Nature, Regeneration of Nature.”
“Light Magic: Divine Shield, Divine Strength, Divine Speed, Divine Thorns, Divine Protection, Holy Aura, Light Mind.”
Buffs applied.
Hals released the fog to give himself time to apply various shields.
These shields didn’t consume much magic, though Light Magic drained quickly. Hals had abundant magic power, so it wasn’t an issue.
“Boring, slash.”
Mole, searching through the fog, found it hard to use his Observation Haki properly. He roughly sensed Hals’ position, chasing with [Shave], but Hals, also using [Shave], moved too fast for Mole to catch.
Mole, realizing Hals was up to something, attacked first.
Several sword slashes flew towards Hals, who dodged, but the slashes dispersed part of the fog.
“Hmm? Thought the fog would clear entirely.”
Mole found it odd. The fog should have dispersed easily, yet it felt heavy and cold.
Mole decided to get serious.
“Ice Magic: Ice Fog Technique.”
“Water Magic: Thick Fog.”
Mole’s serious slashes dispersed the fog, revealing the two figures.
Hals smiled at Mole, surrounded by colorful light rings—buffs he applied to himself.
Protection was shield, Shield was enhanced defense.
Divine Shield enhanced defense, Divine Protection added a shield, Divine Thorns was a counterattack shield, Holy Aura was a random positive buff refreshed passively.
For example, running could grant a speed buff.
“You’re not as simple as I thought, with strong physical attributes and unique abilities.”
“Of course.”
Hals smiled, his hands forming dragon claws.
Yes, Hals was in dragon-human form.
“I’m going.”
Hals used [Shave] again, leaving no trace due to his precise control, a result of intense training.
Hals punched at Mole, the air roaring with a sonic boom. This punch could damage even Seastone.
Mole, serious, covered his sword with Armament Haki, meeting Hals’ punch. Mole realized his strength was far inferior, forced back, his legs leaving deep marks on the ground.
Mole’s legs trembled as he steadied himself, using [Moonwalk] to jump and disperse the force.
“What terrifying strength.”
Vice Admiral Mole’s legs and hands trembled.
No more holding back; he had to be serious. This kid was tough.
“Of course, Vice Admiral Mole.”
Hals charged at Mole again, who responded with several slashes, returning to the ground.
Mole’s shoes were damaged, needing a new pair.
Hals, unable to dodge the fast slashes, punched them, breaking [Water Protection] and [Nature Protection].
Broken?
[Water Protection] wasn’t a basic spell but a level 2 spell, enhancing the original spell.
No matter, continue.
“Water Magic: Water Protection.”
More slashes came from below, and Hals had no time to cast another spell. He breathed out a massive ice-blue dragon breath, a combination of ice and wind magic, extremely powerful.
Then…
“Ice Magic: Giant Ice Ball.”
A massive ice ball appeared instantly, clashing with the slash, shattering into ice fragments, falling like fast snowflakes.
“Lightning Magic: Chain Lightning.”
A huge lightning bolt struck at Mole, who was startled. Lightning was powerful, and though he could dodge, being hit would slow his actions, making him vulnerable.
Mole dodged, seeing the scorched ground, realizing the lightning’s power, eyeing Hals with suspicion.
“Negative emotions from Mole +600000”
You trying to kill me? (Confused, questioning)
What are you thinking? It’s just a Devil Fruit ability. Can it kill a Navy elite vice admiral? Use Haki, and it’s no big deal. (Confident)
I’m not easily fooled. (Suspicious)
Wait, I’ll show you an experiment later. (Calm)
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